Kentucky lawmakers from across the Commonwealth have come to Frankfort this week. While the first week of a so called ‘short’ legislative session is often primarily organizational in nature, this general assembly period carries a different tone.
Opening day in the Kentucky Senate included traditional formalities. Swearing in new members and selecting legislative leaders by acclamation. The coronavirus pandemic is not a new issue during legislative times. COVID-19 became a serious health concern at the end of the shortened 2020 session.
Life during the current pandemic means more mask use, fewer school aged pages, and just less public access due to health safety restrictions. Winchester GOP Senator and Doctor Ralph Alvarado says that doesn’t mean more backroom activity. “They are limiting obviously the number of visitors. They’re trying to make sure that we have enough access, people be able to watch at home so that people don’t feel like things are being done under the table. Everybody can see what’s happening in the senate chamber and in our committees. So, trying to maintain that transparency is always difficult, but we’re going to do the best that we can to make sure people know what’s happening up here,” said Alvarado.
Senate Minority Floor Leader Morgan McGarvey said the lack of people in the capital does create less hustle and bustle. Still, the Louisville democrat says the pandemic doesn’t lessen the importance of meeting the needs of a COVID impacted Commonwealth. “As this pandemic continues to impact just about every family in Kentucky, it’s gonna be on our agenda. But, what we have to focus on though is not the politics but helping people. And I really hope we can put our focus on helping those people, helping our small businesses recover as this pandemic continues,” noted McGarvey.
Well before the start of the 2021 session, republican leaders at the capitol indicated bills would be considered to modify executive branch authority. Many GOP members have been outspoken about how Governor Beshear has ordered restrictions tied to coronavirus. Their contention is the legislature has been unfairly left out of those discussions. The governor has repeatedly said his actions are about health protections during a changing time of virus.
Veteran Democratic Senator Robin Webb of Grayson says she doesn’t agree with all of Beshear’s decisions and more accountability, oversight, and input are needed. But, Webb says it’s a novel situation.
“We’ve talked about all that when we amended the statutes before and tried to provide for those exigent circumstances. I don’t know what anybody would have done differently. But, I share the same concerns, but it’s just a matter of not being too reactive at this point,” said Webb.
Down at the other end of the third floor, House members are also considering these same type of measures. It’s not the first time GOP leaders have worked to move bills during the first week of a short session. But, House Speaker Pro Tem David Meade said Tuesday just how far to go on restricting authority was still in the balance.
“I think that’s just an ongoing discussion that’s we’ve got. I think you’ve got varying opinions and it’s something we’re just going to have to continue to work out as we go forward, but we’re just still working on that one,” noted Meade.
Meade says meeting right now is a constitutional requirement. Even with a major health crisis in place, the Stanford representative says the session can’t be pushed back to a date later this year. Meade says that would take a constitutional amendment and a vote of citizens couldn’t be held until 2022.
Louisville Representative Mary Lou Marzian, a retired nurse, favors a remote session with the emphasis only on the one year budget and any COVID vaccination measures.
Not all the activity this week has been inside the state capitol building. On that first day a few dozen protesters gathered between the capitol and the annex with about the same number of “Impeach Andy” yard signs posted in the grass. When asked about it, Beshear said yard signs won’t keep him from doing what he feels is right in dealing with the pandemic.?
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